Our School

Our School

Lady Evelyn’s Alternative program has been a successful reality for over 30 years. Although the following characteristics are found in many inpidual classrooms in both alternative and non-alternative schools, they are the foundation of the Alternative Education philosophy. This philosophy is implemented through a partnership of shared responsibility among staff, students and parents. A more complete explanation of alternative philosophy and practices is available in school handouts; the 2008 report “Towards a Revitalization of the Alternative Program”, the Alternative Schools Advisory Committee (ASAC) (http://www.asac-ottawa.org) and the Alternative Review Report, (http://www.ocdsb.ca).

Parent-teacher partnerships are welcomed, encouraged and expected. All stakeholders strive to guide children to develop their potential as resourceful and responsible inpiduals, fully prepared to engage in life with skill, confidence, and experience.

Our Students

Lady Evelyn has an enrollment of approximately 260 students representing over 20 countries and languages. Our graduating students will move on to Summit Alternative School or the intermediate school closest to their place of residence.

Our Staff

Lady Evelyn has a teaching staff of 20 Teachers, 3.5 Educational Assistants and 3.0 Early Childhood Educators. Several staff members are bilingual (English/French). Some teachers have Masters’ degrees, English as a Second Language Qualifications, and Special Education Qualifications. Others have additional qualifications in the areas of French as a Second Language, Primary Education, Drama, Phys. Ed., and Science. Many teachers mentor student teachers throughout the school year.

Our Community

Lady Evelyn has a large attendance area, drawing from the immediate area and adjacent communities.

Parents are actively involved in daily activities in the classroom, at special events, and school outings. They share their expertise and knowledge on a regular basis to enhance curriculum and student learning. The school welcomes community volunteers through OCRI and co-op placements from neighbouring high schools and Algonquin College.

Rainbow Kid School (Carleton Preschool) operates in the building providing seamless preschool care for many of our students. The Old Town Hall (City of Ottawa) operates an after-school program with pick up in our school at the end of the school day. The YMCA, Jack Purcell Community Centre, Bettye Hyde, and Andrew Fleck are childcare providers in the school's attendance area. Local museums, the NAC, area parks, the University of Ottawa and the canal are regular extensions of our classrooms. A cadre of volunteers from the school and adjacent community are welcomed at Lady Evelyn on a daily basis.

Mission Statement

Welcome to Lady Evelyn Alternative where we believe in working collaboratively with parents to ensure that all students achieve high standards of learning in a warm, nurturing, cooperative and caring environment. Our mission statement is a work in progress.

Facilities and Resources

Lady Evelyn Alternative School has:

A beautiful, well-maintained building with large windows and natural light.

A library with a large collection of books

New computer lab.

Gym with change room/shower facilities

A small, newly refurbished school yard

One play structure

Rainbow Kids School located in the school for preschool and before and after school care

Access to the downtown area and resources

Track & field, cross-country, swimming, and skating use community parks, the University of Ottawa, and the canal

Wheelchair accessibility

Programs and Services

Academic Programs

Lady Evelyn implements the Ontario Curriculum. It is a regular English school with 40 minutes of Core French instruction per day. We offer integrated units and plan whole school, multi-age groupings two or three times per year. Our teachers work collaboratively and find opportunity to team teach. Team teaching allows teachers to know many students and increases the comfort level of students. This supports students as they move up through the grade levels.

Classroom Organization

Lady Evelyn is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 English Alternative School with 3 Full Day Kindergarten classes, 8 Homeroom Classrooms and one Special Education system class known as our Primary Special Needs or PSN class.

Our School organization for the 2013/2014 school year includes 3 JK/SK classes, 1 Grade 1 class, 1 Grade 1/2 class, 1 Grade 2 class, 1 Grade 2/3 class, 1 Grade 3/4 class, 1 Grade 4 class, 2 Grade 5/6 classes, and one Primary Special Needs class. Classes participate in multi-aged groupings. This allows children to learn to help younger students while reinforcing their own knowledge and gives students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Younger students are able to be challenged by their older classmates. Multi-age groupings represent the real world where a variety of ages must work collaboratively and value the strengths and needs of its members.

Special Education and ESL Programs

1 Primary Special Needs classroom teacher. (PSN)

1.25 Learning Resource Teacher (LRT)

Remedial support and educational assessments are provided by our:

.50 Learning Support Teacher (LST )

Gifted children are accommodated and challenged in the regular classroom.

English Language Learners are supported by our .75 English as a Second Language Teacher (ESL)

IPRC'd students are in the PSN and regular classrooms with modified and differentiated curriculum.

Clubs and Activities

Primary/Junior Choir

Chess Club

Cross Country Running - Primary/Junior Sports- intramurals and opportunities for open access to participate on teams

Opportunities to engage in activities as they arise

Safe Schools Initiatives

Code of Behaviour: All persons at Lady Evelyn School are expected to behave in a “Responsible, Respectful, Reasonable” manner. ‘Respect for all, by all’